My identity stolen (again). LifeLock?

[G-Mac]

I found out over the past couple weeks that fraudulent applications for credit cards have been taken out, with two different banks, using my personal information. My current credit score is over 800 and I want to protect that. Both banks (whom I have other accounts with) told me to contact the credit reporting agencies....yada, yada, but I'm thinking about signing up with LifeLock. Anybody have any experience with them? Or any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[16thVACav]

Call the three credit agencies and freeze your credit history. Banks will not issue credit cards, process a mortgage, etc. unless they can review a borrower's credit history.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Probably a little late for Life-Lock. Kind of like trying to buy car insurance a week after the accident.

I think 16VACav has offered the best advice. So much of this stuff is going on that the credit reporting agencies and banks know how to handle it for your best protection.

 

[wood714]

When I got divorced around 2010 I was worried about my ex taking out credit cards in my name.

I forgot how I did it, but I had my credit locked. I'd forgot about it till trying to rent a car!

 

[vt_shooter]

Everyone should put a freeze on their credit. Head-off the P.I.T.A. activities before they happen. Not a big deal to do.

 

[Greyman50]

Yea, contact each of the credit agencies, easy, just DO NOT LOOSE or MISPLACE the code word to reinstate your credit.

 

[Onomea]

Buying a car with a personal check last February, the saleswoman came to me and said, "Your credit is locked." I had forgotten that I'd locked my credit, and could not immediately recall credit agency passwords. (They're written down at home.)

So, the check being on a joint account with my wife, I explained and asked, "How about check my wife's credit?" That worked fine, and the dealer accepted my check.

It occurred to me, though, that I better lock my wife's credit, too!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

There are three credit reporting agencies. Federal law requires each to provide you FREE OF CHARGE a complete credit reoprt once a year. Stagger your requests every 4 months so you get a free report three times a year.. I also like the idea of freezing your account.

 

[Sarge9]

Two out of three allowed me to lock over the phone.
3rd. co. required letter.
No passwords mentioned.
Can turn back on with phone.
Never use debit card. Info stolen 12 yrs ago, $5400.from co. acc.
PNC repaid in 4 wks. (mexi-rest)

 

[vt_shooter]

Two out of three allowed me to lock over the phone.
3rd. co. required letter.
No passwords mentioned.
Can turn back on with phone.
Never use debit card. Info stolen 12 yrs ago, $5400.from co. acc.
PNC repaid in 4 wks. (mexi-rest)

Interesting. I wonder how they validate who's calling to un-freeze it, given it's easy for criminals to spoof caller-ID.

 

[gregintenn]

Buying a car with a personal check last February, the saleswoman came to me and said, "Your credit is locked." I had forgotten that I'd locked my credit, and could not immediately recall credit agency passwords. (They're written down at home.)

So, the check being on a joint account with my wife, I explained and asked, "How about check my wife's credit?" That worked fine, and the dealer accepted my check.

It occurred to me, though, that I better lock my wife's credit, too!

If you're buying a car with a personal check, they should only call the bank to see if the check will clear. Although it seems to be a somewhat common practice to run a credit check, it shouldn't be done. I'm not sure why some dealerships insist on doing this. Ignorance I suppose.

 

[Farmer17]

I had my Facebook account hacked around Christmas time and it was a PAIN! The guy pretended to be me and personal messaged all my friends to invest in Bitcoin mining, whatever that is. He changed my password, email address, and phone number then tried to open a Cashapp type account on Facebook. I worked for months trying to get it resolved including hiring an IT expert but nothing helped and Facebook finally deleted my account and all my pictures and info. I discovered that Facebook security is very weak and I searched on-line to find out how people hack accounts and there are many pages of services and software packages you can buy like Password Sniper, that figures out what password a person is using.